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MAKE! at the Barbican

The Barbican Shop has announced its first ever season of events, with a series of talks, installations and practical workshops on the theme of making and craftsmanship. Make! - A season of contemporary craft in the Barbican Shop will run from the 17th of March to the 3rd of June 2018, allowing visitors to explore traditional crafts with a contemporary twist, to meet the makers behind some of the shop’s favourite products, and to learn new craft skills in a range of workshops.

Curated by the Barbican’s retail team in partnership with Crafts magazine, the season seeks to challenge perceptions of craft by showcasing contemporary makers who are celebrating craftsmanship and helping to redefine its meaning today with the growing popularity of the maker movement. The season will also continue the work of the Barbican Shop in supporting independent crafts talent, offering makers a platform to reveal the inspirations and techniques behind their work.

Highlights of the programme include ring carving workshops with east London collective The Workbench, bike building demonstrations and a panel discussion by The Bicycle Academy, bookbinding workshops with experts from the London Centre for Book Arts, a paper lighting workshop with designer Kate Colin, weaving workshops and an installation from tapestry weaver Christabel Balfour, a craft walking tour with historian Chris Rogers, a series by maker Phil Cuttance on casting vases, and a stitching workshop by the Stitch School alongside an interactive stitching cloth installation in the Barbican Shop.

The Barbican is a leading international arts and learning centre, and much of the season will take place in the recently expanded Barbican Shop. Designed by RIBA Stirling Prize-winning practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the 330 square metre shop is spread over two floors, providing room for events and programing that see the shop become an extension of the Barbican’s foyer spaces and a destination in its own right. Make! has been programmed in partnership with Crafts magazine. Published bi-monthly by the Crafts Council, the magazine has covered the most exciting developments in the world of contemporary craft over the past four and a half decades.

Jo Davis, Head of Retail at the Barbican, says, “We are incredibly excited to launch Make! - our first season of events in the Barbican Shop. We have curated a diverse selection of makers, representing a wide range of disciplines from weaving to bike frame making, and are looking forward to showcasing each of their crafts. This is an opportunity to watch the ‘making’ process happen, as well as a chance to take part, learn something new and walk away with a beautifully unique handmade product.” Grant Gibson, Editor of Crafts magazine, says, “There's absolutely no doubt that craft has undergone a renaissance in recent years, capturing the public's imagination. We're delighted to be joining forces with the Barbican to showcase some of the UK's best creative talent this spring. I think visitors will be surprised and delighted.”

The Barbican Shop will also showcase selected leading makers as part of a display co-curated by Crafts magazine, including Irina Razumovskaya, Ariane Prin, Victoria Andrew, Alan Olivier and more to be announced via the Barbican website, alongside products available to buy from makers involved in the season’s events.

For programme information and tickets, visit: www.barbican.org.uk/make (from February 7th for Barbican Members; from February 9th for the general public)